Show ContentsElmark History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Elmark Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Elmark

What does the name Elmark mean?

In ancient Scotland, Elmark was a Strathclyde-Briton name for someone who lived in "Argyleshire, who transposed the syllables of his name on coming to the South (England). Most if not all the existing hearers of this singular patronymic descend from a Richard Almoke, of Yorkshire, whose curious will, with that of his son John is printed in Arch. Journ, v. 316. In 34 and 35, Hen. VIII., this Richard is written Awmoke, and still later Hawmoke." 1

Another source claims the family is from "Almeneches, a location name in Normandy (?) There is a tradition that a Scotchman, coming to London, changed his name from MacAll to Allmack! It may be so." 2

Early Origins of the Elmark family

The surname Elmark was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where this curious name is descended from Robert M'Kawele, Lord of Karsneloughe, who was living in 1370 in Guffok land in Nithsdale. 3

Traditionally within the family name, the first Allmack or Allmark was a MacAll who on migrating south to Yorkshire found it more fashionable to drop the Mac from his name to become accepted in the English society. Progressively the name became Allmack, Allmark, Allmoke, Hawmoke. William Allmack, "one of the founders of the city of Victoria in that Colony (Hong Kong) was honored by Almack Place in that city. He died on his voyage from China in 1846. The Almack motto, based upon the supposed Scottish extraction of the race, is MACK AL SICKER." 1

Early History of the Elmark family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elmark research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1500 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Elmark History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elmark Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Elmark has been spelled Allmark, Almark, Allmoke, Hawmoke, Hallmark, Allmack, Aulmark and many more.

Early Notables of the Elmark family

More information is included under the topic Early Elmark Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Elmark family to Ireland

Some of the Elmark family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Elmark family

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them: Thomas Allmark who settled in Barbados in 1780.

The Elmark Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: MACK AL SICKER
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

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